“You never know!”Everyone has heard the expression and most of us have lived through at least one or two vivid examples of its wide ranging implications.Chalk up another one for me, a very good friend, and FATA itself.
As many of you probably know by now Robert Grant, FATA’s extremely able and well respected President, is no longer a resident of the state of Florida having been through his own “you never know” moment.Robert was transferred by his employer Signature Flight Support, on short notice, to Washington DC where he is the new manager of Signature’s Dulles location. Signature couldn’t have picked a better person for the job.Robert is always up for a challenge and he took this one on with his normal vigor. That Tuesday initially was just another day for me, living the dream (ahem) that is the FBO business in 2011.The “you never know” moment came when FATA Executive Director Paula Raeburn called me and uttered the question:“Have you talked to Robert yet?”I hadn’t.It turns out that you never know when you are going to become the next President of FATA.
For those of you that don’t know me I have lived and breathed aviation, and specifically Florida aviation, for all of my 31 years on this earth.My father Bob is a past FATA President and is right across the hall in his office as I type this.My mother and my sister are down the hall and my 18 month old son is next door in the “baby shack.”Florida aviation truly is my life, and I am excited to hopefully give something back to the institution that has provided me with the life I lead.
Now I’m going to back up a theme but shift gears a little bit.Those “you never know” moments we’re talking about?One of those moments could be when you say to yourself, “I am so glad FATA is there.”
▪When the tax man knocks on your door with a bill that threatens the very existence of your aviation related business, FATA is ready to help.
▪When a politician just needs help understanding why his new bill could cost you your livelihood, FATA’s lobbyist is in his office the next day.
▪When an environmental agency decides one day to introduce a rule that triples the price of a commodity you sell or use, FATA will stand hand in hand with the other trade groups and your voice will be heard.
All of those scenarios in the previous paragraph are hypothetical; however the threat of all three coming true is very real to many of us.Groups like FATA exist for very good reasons; sometimes the reasons aren’t evident for long periods of time –until the “you never know” moment arrives!
As we emerge slowly but hopefully surely from this historic economic slump, one of my goals as FATA President is to grow our membership so our voices can be even louder.We as an association are blessed to have the great members we have, however so many others out there need us.They just don’t know it yet.Their “you never know” moment hasn’t come yet. So when talking with your tenants, peers, or customers please take a second and ask if they are FATA members.Your personal relationship is the best method for our membership to flourish.Thanks for your help!
